Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1887-09-24


His face fell a little, however, when he was
told that the whole thing was to b~s kept as
secret as the dead above all from Sorais for
the present. inasmuch as the political eonvul-
sion which would follow such an announce
ment at the moment would be altogether too
great to face, and would very possibly, II
prematurely made, shake Nyleptha from her
throne.
That morning we again attended in the
throne hall, and could not help smiling to
myself when compared the visit to our last,
and rejecting that if the walls could speak
they would have strange tales to tell
What actresses women arei There, high
upon her golden throne, draped in her bla-
zoned ~kafn or robe of state, sat the fair Ny
leptha; and when Sir Henry came In little
late. dressed in the full uniform of an officer
OF her guard, and humbly bent himself be-
fore her, she merely acknowledged his salute
with a careless nod and turned her head
coldly aside. 1t was very large court, for
not only did the ceremony of the signing of
the laws attract many outside OF those whose
duty it was to attend, but also the rumor
that Nasta was going to publicly ask the
hand of Nyleptha i'll marriage had gone
abroad with the result that the great hall
was crowded to its utmost capacity. There
were our friends the priests in force, headed
by Agon, who regarded us with a vindictive
eye; and a most imposing band they were,
with their long white embroidered robes grit
with golden chain from which hung the
fshlike scales. There, too, were number OF
the lords, each with q band of brilliantly
attired attendants, and prominent among
them was Nasta, stroking his black beard
meditatively and looking unusually unpleas-
ant. 1t was a splendid and impressive sight,
especially when the officer having read out
each law it was handed to the queens to sign,
wherein the trumpets bared out and the
queens guard grounded their spears with
crash in salute This reading and signing Of
the laws took long time, but at last it came
to an end, the last one reciting that whereas
certain distinguished strangers, ETC." and pro-
ceeding to confer on the three of us the rank
of "lords," together with certain military
commands and large estates bestowed by the
queens When it was read the trumpets
blared and the spears clashed down as usual;
but saw some of the lords turn and whisper
to each other, while Nasta ground his teeth.
They did not like the favor that was shown
to us, which, under all the circumstances,
was not perhaps unnatural
Then there came a pause, and Nasta stepped
forward, and bowling humbly, though with
no humility in his eye, crayed boon at the
hands Of the Queen Nyleptha.
Nyleptha turned little pale, but bowed
graciously, and prayed the swell beloved
lord" TO speak on, whereon in a few straight
forward, soldier like words he asked her hand
in marriage.
Then, before she could find words to an
swer, the High Priest Agon took up the tale,
and in speech of real eloquence and power
pointed out the many advantages of the pro-
posed alliance-how it would consolidate the
kingdom; for Nasta's dominions, of which he
was virtually king, were to Zu-Vendis much
what Scotland used to be to England; how it
would crafty the wild mountaineers and be
popular among the soldiery, for Nasta was q
famous general; how it would set her dynasty
firmly on the throne, and would gain the
blessing and approval of the ''Sun," j. e., of
the Office of high priest, and so on. Many of
his arguments were undoubtedly valid; and
there was, looking at it from a political point
of view, everything to be said for the mar
riage. But, unfortunately, it is difficult to
play the game of politics with the persons al
young and lovely queens as though they wef'e
ivory effigies of themselves on chess board
Nyleptha's face, while Agon spouted away,
beneath the smile it set like a stone, and her
eyes began TO flash ominously.
At last he stopped. and she prepared herself
to answer. Before she did so, however, Sorais
leaned toward her and said, in voice suffi-
GENTLY loud for me to catch what she said,
"Bethink thee well, my sister, ere thou dost
speak, for methinks that our thrones may
hang upon thy words"
Nyleptha made no answer, and with q
shrug and a smile, Sorais leaned back again
and listened.
%Of truth great honor has been done to
me" she said, that my poor hand should not
only have been asked in marriage, but that
Agon here should be so swift TO pronounce
the blessing of the Sun upon my union. Me-
thinks that i'll another minute he would have
wed us fast ere the bride had said her say.
Nasta, thank thee, and | will bethink me of
thy words, but now as yet have no mind for
marriage; that is a cup Of which none know
the taste until they begin to drink it, Again
thank thee, Nasta," and she made as though
she would rise.
The great lords face turned almost as
black as his beard with fury, for he knew
that the words amounted to final refusal of
lis suit.
"Thanks be to the queen for her gracious
words, lie said, restraining himself with diff
ficulty and looking anything but grateful,
"my heart shall surely treasure them And
now l crave another boon, namely, the royal
leave to withdraw myself to my own poor
cities in the north until such time as the
queen shall say my suit nay or yea. May
hap" he added, with a sneer, "the queen viii
be pleased to visit me there, and to bring
with her these stranger lords" and he
scowled darkly toward us. at is but poor
country and a rough, but we are hardy
race OF mountaineers, and there shall be
gathered $4,000 swordsmen to shout well
come to her"
This speech, which was almost declara-
ton of rebellion, was received in complete
silence, but Nyleptha flushed up and an
swered it with spirit
'Oh, surely, Nasta, will come, and She